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While all the political attention has been focused this past week on Mitt versus Newt in Florida, I think little attention has been given to the potential threat Ron Paul poses to the GOP this fall.

If you closely listen to his supporters, you get the feeling that he an his libertarian supporters will be launching a third party bid for the presidency. If this happens, the Republican party can more or less kiss away any hopes they have for retaking the White House. Paul could command up to 10 percent of the electorate and most of that would come at the expense of the GOP nominee. President Obama could then win reelection and not even have to carry the majority of the popular vote. It's ironic because this November will mark the 100th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt ill-fated attempt to recapture the presidency.

His political vehicle was the Progressive Party a.k.a. the Bull Moosers after the ruling Republican Old Guard establishment quashed his comeback bid. He didn't win but neither did the Old Guard's William Taft either as the former Rough Rider pulled too many votes away from the Republican column. A similar disaster awaits Republicans this time around if Paul decides to split away. Not even all the money Mitt or Newt could raise from 527 groups could avoid this stark reality.

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